Electric service tray



Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SERVICE TRAY Application filed January 19, 1929. Serial No. 333,637.

My invention relates to improvements in electric service trays, and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide an electric service tray of the type in which different electrically-operated units, such as a toaster, boiler, percolator, etc., can be removably disposed on the tray and be electrically connected with a source of current, the tray being composed of two separable parts, the lower part carrying the necessary wiring which is covered by a special plate. In this way the wiring is not exposed even though the upper part of the tray is removed from the lower.

Each-one of the electric lliunits carries electric terminals in its bottom for connection with the outlet plugs carried by the tray.

The terminals are protected by an apron that forms a supporting'base for the electric unit and prevents the terminals from contacting with the supporting surface.

Other ob ects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended'claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in whicht Figure 1 is a top lan view of the service tray showing severa of the electric units in place;

Figure 2 is a section along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a. section through one of the sockets and shows an electric unit in position;

Figure 4 is a detail of the device;

Figure 5 is .a side elevation of one of the hooks used for securing the two parts of the tray together;

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram; and

Figure 7 is a detail View showing one of the switches.

In carr ing out my invention, I provide a tray consisting of an upper part 1 preferably made of metal, and a lower part 2 made from insulating or other suitable'material. These two parts may have any shape desired,

and they are connected to each other by hooks 3 (see Figure 5). The hooks may be omitted and friction relied on.

The part 2 carries a number of outlets 4 or plugs, and these project through openings in a cover plate 5 and through openings 6 in the upper part 1 (see Figure 3). The cover -5 has its marginal edge secured to the part 2,

and with the part forms a conduit for wires 7 that lead to all of the sockets et from inlet wires 8.

The openings 6 are provided with beads 9 to prevent liquid from running past the sockets and down into the lower part. These beads also strengthen the edges of the openings.

Each electrical device, for example the boiler 10 shown in Figure 3, carries its own electrical heating element 11 and has terminals 12 that are receivable in the sockets 1. An apron 13 is provided for spacing the terminals 12 away from a supporting surface, which permits the electrical unit to be placed anywhere without interfering with the terminals or damaging them in any way. The toaster 14, grill plate 15, and percolator 16 are provided with aprons 17, 18 and 19 (see Figure 2) in the same manner as the boiler 10.

I provide a separate switch for each electrical unit or, in other words, for each socket 4:. These switches are shown in Figure 1 at 20. Reference to Figure 7 shows the switch 20 as being carried by the lower part 2 and as projecting through an opening 21 in the top part 1. Figure 6 shows how the switches are electrically connected with their respective sockets 4 and with an inlet plug 8 that lies flush with the side of the tray. The plug 8 may be connected with the source of current. I

The tray may be carried from place to place by means of handles 22 and may be placed upon a folding rack which will now be described. This rack has a supporting surface 23 of the same area as the lower part 2. The supporting surface has a flange 24 and carries swingable legs 25, the latter being pivoted at 26. Reference to Figure 1 shows the flange 24 as being provided with ears 27 that rotatably carry shafts which in turn carry the legs Stops 28 limit the swinging of the legs 25 and cause them to support the tray in the manner shown in Figure ll desired. a catch '29 may be secured to the underside of the tray-supporting member 23, this catch holding the legs in folded position.

From the toregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereolmay he readily understood.

As many electrical units as desired may be placed upon the tray and connected with the source of ciu'rcnt. The circuit to these units may be turned on and oil by means of the switches 20. The upper part of the tray maybe washed. and in doing this the part 1 is released from the part 3 by means of the hooks 3. Part 2, when removed from the part 1. will still conceal the wires because they are disposed beneath. the cover plate 5. The cover plate 5 also prevents liquid from coming into contact with the wire, and it serves to strengthen the tray. Itv should be noted that. one-half of the tray is left clear for dishes containing food.

Although I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of various changes, and I reserve the right to employ such changes as may come within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. An electric service tray comprising an upper part, a lower part rmnovably secured to the upper one, outlet sockets carried by the lower part. a switch for each socket car ried by the lower part, the upper part having openings therein for receiving the sockets and the switches. the rims of the openings being headed and titted snugly against the sockets and the switches. electric units having terminals receivable in the sockets, supporting aprons for each unit and extending below the bottoms of the terminals, wiring carried by the bottom part and being electrically connected with said sockets and switches. and a cover for the wiring and being carried by the lower part.

2. An electric service tray comprising an upper part. a lower part removably secured to the upper one. outlet sockets carried by the lower part, a switch for each socket carried by the lower part, the upper part having openings therein for receiving the sockets and the switches. the rims of the openings being headed and fitted snugly against the sockets and the switches. electric units having terminals receivable in the sockets, supporting aprons for each unit and extending below the bottoms of the terminals, wiring carried by the bottom part and being electrically connected with said sockets and switches. a cover for the wiring being carried by the lower part, and a foldable support for said tray.

A portable electric service tray having an upper and a lower part removably secured to each other, electric outlets carried by the lower part and projecting through the upper part, wiring leading to the outlets, and a covering for the wiring carried, by the lower part.

4. A portable electric service tray comprising a metal upper part and a lower part made of insulating or other material, electrical sockets carried by the lower part, a switch for each or all current outlets, said upper part having openings for receiving said sockets and switches, and a cover for wiring leading to the switches and sockets.

5. A portable electric service tray comprising a metal upper part, a lower part made of insulating or other material, sockets or electrical receptacles disposed in one side of the lower part, the upper part having openings in one side for receiving said sockets, means for removably securing the upper and lower parts together, and switches for controlling each or all current outlets.

6. A portable electric service tray comprising a metal upper part, a lower part made of insulating or other material, sockets 0r electrical receptacles disposed in one side of the lower part, the upper part having openings in one side for receiving said sockets, means for removably securing the upper and lower parts together, and a cover for the wiring leading to the sockets, said cover being socured to the lower part.

7. An electric service tray comprising an upper part, a lower part removably secured to the upper one, outlet socket-s carried by the lower part, a switch for each socket car ried by the lower part, the upper part having openings therein for receiving the sockets and the switches, electric units having terminals receivable in the sockets, supporting aprons for each unit and extending below the bottoms of the terminals, wiring carried by the bottom part and being electrically connected with said sockets and switches, and a cover for the wiring and being carried by the lower part.

8. An electric service tray comprising an upper part, a lower part removably secured to the upper one, outlet sockets carried by the lower part, a switch for each socket carried by the lower part, the upper part having openings therein for receiving the sockets and the switches, electric units having ter minals receivable in the sockets, wiring carried by the bottom part and being electrically connected with said sockets and switches, a cover for the wiring being carried by the lower part, and a foldable support for said tray.

9. An electric service tray comprising an upper part, a lower part removably secured to the upper one, outlet sockets carried by the lower part, a switch for each socket carried by the lower part, the upper part having carried by the lower part.

HARRY G. FORD. 

